Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan insisted there was nothing wrong with reserve forward Greg Stiemsma taking a medical leave of absence from the team before he was declared ineligible for the rest of the season.
“I know–it’s college athletics,” Ryan said Wednesday night after Wisconsin’s 72-43 victory over Penn State. “Go ahead, get on your high horses again and say I’m wrong. But I’ll tell you what: In this country, in our society, I am right–that people have privacy issues and privacy rights as a student-athlete, and they are allowed to pursue those.”
After announcing last week that Stiemsma was taking a leave of absence from the team for personal medical reasons, the school announced Wednesday that Stiemsma has been ruled ineligible for the second semester.
Free throws
A charter bus carrying the Boston College team to practice Tuesday night for its game at North Carolina struck a bicycle, killing the rider, Chapel Hill, N.C. police said. . . . Sophomore forward Dexter Gray, who averaged 5.0 points this season, has withdrawn from St. John’s and plans to transfer. . . . New Mexico State forward David Fisher, who started 11 games and averaged 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, has been certified eligible and is expected to play Thursday at Fresno State.
WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
St. John’s 50 at #1 Connecticut 66
Rudy Gay had 20 pts, 8 rebs, 5 blks and 2 stls and Huskies (17-1, 5-1 Big East) survived 1st test as No. 1 team by pulling away from Red Storm (10-7, 3-3) in final 10 mins.
#5 Florida 62 at S. Carolina 68
Tarence Kinsey had 19 pts and Gamecocks (11-8, 2-4 SEC) ended 9-game losing streak to Gators (17-2, 3-2) by handing Florida 2nd straight loss after opening season with 17 wins.
Marshall 58 vs. #9 West Va. 52
Mark Patton had 16 pts and 10 rebs and Thundering Herd (8-9) upset Mountaineers (14-4) for 2nd straight season, ending nation’s longest winning streak at 12 games.
#14 Geo. Wash. 94 at Duquesne 78
Pops Mensah-Bonsu took advantage of depleted frontcourt to score career-high 29 pts and Colonials (15-1, 5-0) shook off sluggish first 30 mins to beat reeling Dukes (2-15, 0-6).
Seton Hall 83 at #15 N.C. State 65
Donald Copeland scored 22 pts, Kelly Whitney added 17 and Pirates (11-6), aided by 14-3 run to open 2nd half, handed Wolfpack (15-4) 1st home loss of season.
#18 Maryland 86 at Georgia Tech 74
Nik Caner-Medley scored career-high 33 pts and Terrapins (14-4, 4-2 ACC) shook off suspension of leading scorer Chris McCray for victory over slumping Yellow Jackets (9-8, 2-4).
#19 Tennessee 88 at Mississippi St. 65
C.J. Watson scored 19 pts and Andre Patterson added 13 pts and 11 rebs as Volunteers (13-3, 4-1 SEC), who never trailed, routed Bulldogs (11-8, 1-5) for 2nd straight time.
#20 Boston Coll. 81 at North Carolina 74
Jared Dudley scored 17 pts and Craig Smith had 14 of his 16 in 2nd half to help Eagles (15-4, 3-3 ACC) hold off Tar Heels (11-5, 3-3) for coach Al Skinner’s 300th career victory.
Cincinnati 50 at #22 Louisville 67
Taquan Dean, who missed all but 12 mins of last 5 games with sprained ankle, scored 16 pts as Cardinals (14-5, 2-4 Big East) snapped 3-game losing streak by beating Bearcats (14-6, 3-3).
Penn State 43 at #23 Wisconsin 72
Alando Tucker scored 17 pts and Badgers (15-4, 5-1 Big Ten), shooting 13-for-34 from 3-pt range, snapped 2-game losing streak. Geary Claxton had 17 pts for Nittany Lions (10-7, 2-4).
#24 Oklahoma 82 at Baylor 52
Michael Neal and Terrell Everett combined for 23 pts in 1st half and Sooners (12-4, 3-2 Big 12) went on to beat Bears (0-5, 0-5) for 23rd straight time. Oklahoma overall win streak at 3.
Missouri St. 76 at Bradley 86
Patrick O’Bryant had 17 pts and 8 rebs and Marcellus Sommerville also scored 17 in leading Braves (11-7, 5-5 MVC), who took 39-25 halftime lead, past Bears (12-6, 5-5).
Indiana State 58 at Illinois St. 75
Neil Plank scored 15 pts and Michael Vandello added 11 as Redbirds (8-10, 3-7 MVC), who rolled to 37-21 lead at halftime, beat Sycamores (8-10, 1-9).
